In many schools, creativity is a luxury, says Pak educator

Deema Al-‘Alami warned that the rise of Al risks widening the digital poverty’ gap even further

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Education systems worldwide are at a critical crossroads, caught between the industrial-age model of standardisation and the fast-changing demands of a digital, AI-driven world.

That was the resounding message from a panel discussion on “Education Systems and Students’ Creativity” held at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) on Monday.

Moderated by educational consultant Tarannum Ahmed, the panel brought together a distinguished line-up: education adviser and children’s author Deema Al-‘Alami, Emirati writer and media expert Mariam Al Sharaf, and Pakistani educator and children’s author Sehrish Farooq.

Opening the discussion, Deema Al-‘Alami argued that the education sector has long lagged behind others in embracing innovation. “The classroom still mirrors the industrial era — rows of desks, a teacher at the front — even while technology transformed other industries,” she said.

However, she believes the advent of Al is forcing an overdue reckoning. “With Al now able to generate essays and solve complex tasks instantly, educators must rethink instructional design and prepare children, who are now Al natives, for an entirely new world.”